More foreign jobs for LTTE surrendees

The Foreign Employment and Promotion Ministry has broadened its vocational training programs in the Northern and Eastern Districts from May 1 to grant more foreign employment opportunities to LTTE surrendees.

It has been reported that over 60 LTTE cadres have so far surrendered to three rehabilitation centres, set up by the Security Forces in Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts.

The centres are operated with the assistance of the ICRC, UNICEF and other local government agencies.

Training programs such as sewing for female LTTE surrendees and motor mechanism, carpentry, plumbing and wiring for male surrendees will be conducted by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) under the guidance of the Presidential Secretariat.

Foreign Employment and Promotion Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the Sunday Observer that during the past one year the Bureau provided foreign jobs to eleven LTTE surrendees who had been rehabilitated and trained in various vocational fields.

The Minister said the Bureau's next objective is to introduce new skills training programs and expand the number of centres in the Northern district to enable more LTTE surrendees to find employment here and abroad.